I talk about AnYtHiNg, gardening, food, faith, family, you neva do know what y'all will get.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

The Trip to Turkey

Travelling half way across the world takes a long time. It's amazing though once you get there to see the sights. Turkey is a beautiful place, ancient and very clean.

I loved the coastal waters. The bridges, the gates and the amazing architecture.

My lungs however did not fare well with the smoking. I missed the day in Ephesus, the shopping trip to the Grand Bazaar and a whole host of adventures. My camera would not work even with new batteries, it was the craziest thing.

Turns out tulips are native from Turkey and they were everywhere. The flowers and gardens were spectacular.

I could have shopped in the spice bazaar all day. What a plethora of fragrance and beauty. I was so aware of the difference in the freshness and quality of all their foods. Experiencing truly unprocessed foods and spices was the strongest testimony of all to the way we ruin our foods here.

Making a type of tortilla that they fill with the most amazing goat cheese, spinach or meat, whatever you want. The flavor was fabulous. No one is in a hurry everyone eats and drinks tea for a long relaxing amount of time.

Isn't it beautiful?

The square and many of the streets are made of cobblestones. Most people use public transportation which is very fast, efficient and cheap. Most of the streets are full of people walking not driving.
They clean the streets and everyone keeps everything lovely except for the constant cigarette smoking. Twelve year olds may legally smoke. There are also the large water pipes and the most aromatic pipe smoke ever, it smelled so wonderful I would have liked to taste a puff. Their were little carts of burning/roasting chestnuts everywhere that just billowed an awful stinky smoke.
You would think I could get some fresh air outside but I couldn't. Since I came home I was in the hospital with really bad asthma, worst ever. I'm home in the bed and sick as stink I can't even muster up the effort to shower. But I wanted to say hello and show you a little of where I was. These pictures were taken by a friend on the trip.

I bought some pretty scarves and some wonderful tea. I kept waiting for the grand bazaar day and was to sick to go. So much for shopping. If your currency is the English pound or the Euro definitely go and buy! Our dollar is in deep deep doo doo, I had to pay $7 for a coke in France. That's a reality check.

I'll write again when I feel better. your loved this is the most I have done since I came home.

11 comments:

Sounds wonderful my husband visited Turkey when we were in the Middle East. Sorry your not feeling well a friend mentioned you needed prayer and I have been praying ~Traveling the world is amazing but it does seldom turn out how we expect lol! On our trip to Mexico I spent 24 hours vomiting not quite what I expected. When I went to Bahrain the first time I ended up in the ER from dehydration...kind of crazy I always pictured traveling would be more like you see in the old time movies all exotic and romantic hehehe. The spices are amazing aren't they I brought lots home with me :) Feel better & know I am praying Love Heather

You went to Turkey?? Wow! That must have been very interesting.The photos are lovely. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.Sorry you got sick. Maybe you got this on the plane. I hear that the recycled air is really bad.Take care.

Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry you got so sick! That is horrible. And on such a gorgeous trip. Boo.The pictures are amazing! I wish I could see them a little bigger. Do you have that option when you are in your edit mode on your post? You right click on the pick (in edit mode) and then pick the size of the picture). The pics are just so beautiful I would love to get a closer look. Not that you have time for that right now, what with feeling so crap right now.My hubby was in Turkey in the 90s and he had such a yucky experience. Seems much has changed since he was there. It definitely makes me want to go now. Hope you feel better soon!!!

oh poor, poor body! I feel so bad for you and your chest. I am praying for your health to return and you not to be hurting. thank you for mustering up the strength to drop us a line about the trip and to share the beauty. Take good care now! Kathy

Miss Karen! I'm so glad you didn't get sick BEFORE you could go---but my goodness---please know your limits from now on, Lady! You worry us--too much smoke can kill a girl with asthma and we want Karen to be around awhile!

Sounds like you have been a busy, busy girl, and what fun to go to Turkey!

I'm so glad you dropped by to visit. I am checking in and wanted to come by and see what is going on in your world. I've been reading back posts, and I see that the kids are gone and that you are contemplating a move to the West Coast. I don't blame you for wanting to be near your grands. I think it's hard to be away from family.

I'm on Mr. M's laptop and wanted to be sure to visit. So glad I did. Miss you...